Oregon
East Evans Creek Road wildfire swells to about 2,000 acres; homes threatened
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (KATU) — Additional firefighting resources are being sent to the fast-moving East Evans Creek Road fire in Jackson County as the blaze grows and threatens homes and nearby communities.
In a statement posted at 6:26 a.m. on July 11, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said it is mobilizing four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to support local response efforts. The fire sparked Friday and “quickly grew to over 1,500 acres,” the agency said.
By Saturday morning, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District estimated the fire at approximately 2,000 acres. Firefighters are working on private and Bureau of Land Management lands about 26 miles north of Medford near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road.
The fire was reported Friday afternoon just after 2:40 p.m., according to ODF, when dispatch received a report of a car crash involving a power pole and a downed power line.
Firefighters arrived to find fire burning in nearby vegetation. ODF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a further investigation into the incident.
Evacuation information
Evacuation orders remained in place as of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office morning update on Saturday. The sheriff’s office issued Level 3 “Go Now,” Level 2 “Be Set” and Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notices for areas surrounding the fire.
Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: JAC-148A
Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, JAC-148B
Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, JAC-149B
The above zone names can be understood by visiting the following map through Genasys Protect at protect.genasys.com. The map lets users plug in their address to see what zones are under evacuation.
The state fire marshal urged people looking for further evacuation information to follow the local sheriff’s office or check the map at the following website with the latest evacuation information: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill.
Road closures and traffic blocks remained in effect. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said there is an additional roadblock at the 8 mile marker of Antioch Road.
Traffic remains blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and West Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. ODF also reported traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, and said residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
Livestock shelters
Livestock sheltering options are also available. Horses can be taken to the Jackson County Expo at 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, where expo staff and volunteers are prepared to receive horses. Owners are asked to bring feed, water containers and any necessary medications when possible. Josephine County Fairgrounds can take pigs, goats and smaller animals at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527. Anyone needing livestock sheltering assistance can call 541-776-7206.
Emergency Conflagration Act invoked
Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday night for the East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County, allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize additional resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
The Jackson County Fire Defense Board chief requested assistance with life, safety and structural fire protection, and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.
The agency said it is the first time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.
Task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion and the south coast—Coos, Curry, Lane and Douglas counties—are being mobilized, according to the state fire marshal. Those resources will join a task force from Klamath County and a strike team from Douglas County that were mobilized Friday evening through Immediate Response to support local structural resources.
“This fire is a reminder how quickly things can change with the dry conditions we have across the state,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “We have a long way to go this fire season, and I ask every Oregonian to do their part to prevent wildfires.”
ODF said warm, dry and breezy conditions were expected to continue across southwest Oregon Saturday, increasing the potential for active fire behavior and spotting.
More than 400 personnel were assigned to the incident Saturday, including 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces, according to ODF. Aviation resources include one Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters.
Firefighters worked through the night strengthening fire line, reinforcing wet line and mitigating hazardous snags, ODF said. Saturday’s objectives include reinforcing and strengthening existing fire line, extending hose lays along East Evans Creek Road and improving access for firefighters working throughout the incident. Crews are operating in steep terrain, across an old burn scar and around numerous hazard trees.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is expected to be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1, according to the state fire marshal. ODF said Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the incident this evening, citing the fire’s size and complexity and the need to maintain initial attack capability across southwest Oregon.
Traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, ODF said. Residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so, and the public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
ODF said updates on the East Evans Creek Fire will be provided each morning and evening on their Facebook page at ODF Southwest Oregon District, with additional updates shared throughout the day as significant information becomes available.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Jackson County at this link: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
Gert Zoutendijk, a public information officer for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team, confirmed the fire was caused by a downed power line that came down because of a motor vehicle crash.
Zoutendijk said an Oregon Department of Forestry local unit engine was on scene “within 30 seconds,” rendered aid to passengers and noticed the fire started.
As of today, fire officials were estimating the blaze at around 2,000 acres, though Zoutendijk said that number could change because crews have not yet been able to get an infrared flight to confirm the perimeter. An infrared flight was planned for tonight, and the acreage estimate could go up or down once the fire line is mapped more accurately.
Firefighting resources include both wildland and structural protection teams. Zoutendijk said local fire departments and districts have been overwhelmed protecting structures, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent a conflagration delegate. Zoutendijk said six different counties sent resources from five different fire agencies—equipment and firefighters—on the structural side. On the wildland side, Zoutendijk said resources include the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management and private resources.
He said the total number of firefighters on the fire, not including structural firefighters who arrived today, was reported at 750.
Evacuations were in place at multiple levels. Zoutendijk said a briefing mentioned that in Level 3 evacuation zones, approximately 100 people were evacuated or affected, including 73 structures. Zoutendijk noted those structures are not all homes and could include commercial buildings. In Level 2 zones, Zoutendijk said about 166 structures were affected, including about 300 people.
Zoutendijk said Gov. Kotek invoking the Conflagration Act allows the state to send additional resources when local fire jurisdictions are overwhelmed and cannot safely and adequately protect their communities.
He stated that local agencies requested resources from the state yesterday because conditions changed quickly. Two task forces arrived and began work, and additional resources were brought in today after the conflagration was enacted last night, including four task forces from four different counties. Those resources are intended to focus on protecting structures in and around threatened areas and to relieve local jurisdictions so they can return to day-to-day emergency response.
Zoutendijk urged Oregonians statewide to sign up for emergency alerts through local fire agencies, emergency management offices, counties or cities, saying the systems can send evacuation notices and other emergency messaging for large-scale incidents.
Watch wildfires in southeast Oregon spread across the landscape
The Oregon Hazards Lab has wildfire monitoring cameras stationed throughout the state that can detect new fires and track active ones.
Although most students are gone for summer break, University of Oregon’s Eugene campus is seeing a spike of activity.
Two likely unrelated thefts have resulted in nearly $10,000 in stolen goods and damage in the past two weeks. The first took place in mid-July at Knight Library and the second happened in early August on the fourth floor of Willamette Hall.
University of Oregon Police Department Chief Jason Wade said there could be a minimal increase in theft over the summer, but he said the two instances don’t necessarily indicate a pattern. Wade said UOPD protects more than 300 buildings, many of which are largely empty during the summer.
“I think these were just a couple of incidents that occurred back-to-back,” Wade said. “There’s not as many custodial staff working in the buildings, there’s not as many professors and administrative staff inside the buildings, so stuff can be a little bit more thinly staffed, and that just provides opportunity.”
In response to the break-ins, UOPD increased their patrols, especially near Willamette Hall and Knight Library.
Musical instruments, clothing, laptops stolen from Willamette Hall
The most recent theft was reported on Monday, Aug. 3, at Willamette Hall and likely occurred over the weekend.
The thief forced their way into four offices on the fourth floor, Wade said, shearing off the locks. Wade said there was no sign of forced entry from the exterior of the building, so police think the individual may have found a window to crawl through or hid inside the building after gaining access during open hours.
“That’s the concerning part because these four offices were targeted,” Wade said. “Why these four offices? That’s part of our investigations. We’re trying to figure out the full ramifications of this.”
Wade said it’s possible the thief simply looked through the windows and saw something of value in the offices.
After forcing their way in, they stole a variety of items including guitars, office supplies, headphones, computer equipment and clothing. Wade said most of the stolen goods were personal items but some university property also was stolen. The value of the stolen items, combined with the damages to the doors, amounts to over $4,800, but Wade said UOPD is still working to assess the full value.
Wade said UOPD developed some leads and believes it has a suspect identified, but declined to go into further detail.
“We have been able to return some items to their owners or they’re being processed as we speak,” Wade said. “I know my evidence technician is trying to do some fingerprinting on some of the items before we give them back to the owners.”
$5,000 in computer equipment taken from Knight Library
The prior theft was reported on Friday, July 17, at offices in the Knight Library. UOPD suspects it occurred the night before after an individual crawled through an unlocked window on the first floor. Wade said dirt was found on the desk in front of the window. UOPD doesn’t believe whoever broke in wandered into other areas of the library outside of the 101C office.
Wade said the unlocked window was an older style with counterweights that may have appeared locked fully when it actually wasn’t.
The thief stole two laptops, two Digital Research, Education and Media (DREAM) Lab kits, and a projector, amounting to approximately $5,000 of university property.
According to UO Director of Issues Management Angela Seydel, UO-owned devices are encrypted and enrolled in an mobile device management systems. This means the data on those devices remains protected, and the devices themselves can be remotely locked or wiped as needed.
Wade said UOPD hasn’t yet identified a suspect; cameras didn’t catch any suspicious activity. Wade said in the meantime, UOPD is scouring social media, reseller sites and pawn shops to try to find evidence the equipment is being sold.
Wade doesn’t believe the same person perpetrated both thefts because the methods were different.
“The library one specifically, was more a crime of opportunity — an open, unsecured window and a very quick get in, get out type,” Wade said. “Where the other one, there’s a definitive, different level of crime, a different style.”
If you have any information regarding either incident, UOPD is seeking tips at 541-346-2919.
University of Oregon Police remind campus employees to lock doors, prevent break-ins
Wade said his No. 1 tip for preventing theft is to ensure nothing of value is visible from outside. He said this goes for offices, households and vehicles. As an example, Wade said he never leaves change or his laptop visible in his car, and he draws his curtains before he leaves his office every evening.
“That’s usually what a lot of our property crime, or most property crime, is based upon, is crimes of opportunity and crimes of convenience,” Wade said. “We never want to blame the victim … It’s not their fault that something happened. It’s still the criminal. The criminal is the one who’s doing the action; they’re the one to blame for everything.
“But we want to help our community not become victims.”
UOPD provided more safety tips in the recent UO alerts. The alert said these tips may help reduce the possibility of crime or help law enforcement in providing prompt assistance if a crime occurs:
- Make sure to lock all doors and windows when leaving the room or building.
- Secure your belongings and don’t leave them unattended.
- Don’t hold doors open for unknown people to let them enter private, secure areas.
- Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 911, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919.
UOPD also listed resources for those who experience crime:
- Student survivors of crime may find support and resource options at safe.uoregon.edu or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).
- Employee survivors of crime may find services and support options through Canopy. Canopy is a comprehensive employee assistance program for faculty and staff and their dependents. The services are at no cost to eligible members and all your information is kept confidential.
- University Counseling Services is open until 5 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour support via phone at 541-346-3227.
Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on X @mirandabcyr.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Several large wildfires continue to burn across Oregon on Monday.
Over the weekend, the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center announced that the total number of acres burned this year has surpassed 2024, making 2026 the worst year on record, with over 2.3 million acres burned.
The largest fire burning in Oregon is the Big Grass Fire in southeastern Oregon. It has burned more than half a million acres and is 41% contained. The fire started July 23, 2026, when thunderstorms moved across the region. It has burned into Idaho and continues to spread.
The Rowe Creek Complex has burned 366,617 acres across Crook, Jefferson and Wheeler counties. Level 3 — Go Now evacuation orders remain in effect north and south of the fire. “Today, wildland firefighting and structure protection resources will continue to engage the fire as it comes down onto more manageable ground,” officials said.
The Grasshopper Fire, burning on the eastern side of Mount Hood, has burned 63,659 acres. The fire is 23% contained, but challenging weather conditions are anticipated this afternoon and Wednesday. Highway 35 remains closed between mileposts 62 and 74.
Crews assigned to the Grasshopper Fire are also working on three smaller fires southwest of the main fire. Initial attack efforts are underway on the Narrows, Mitchell and Austin fires.
In Klamath County, the Wrights Springs Fire has burned 46,769 acres and remains uncontained.
The fire is north-northeast of Klamath Falls and southeast of Chiloquin.
Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices are in effect for the fire. Firefighters will continue to provide structure protection on the northeast and southeast sides of the fire.
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